By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Rochel Baila Lipskar, matriarch of a large Chabad family who saved and cared for many lives, passed away on Sunday, 11 Iyar 5784.
She passed just short of her 103rd birthday on Shavuos.
Mrs. Lipskar was the wife of Rabbi Eliyahu Akiva Lipskar and daughter of Reb Zalman and Chaya Grunia Duchman.
Together with her husband, she emigrated from Russia to Toronto, Canada where her home became legendary for its Hachnasos Orchim and the beginning of a flourishing Chabad community.
She was of we the founders of Neshei Chabad in Toronto. Together with her husband they brought countless Jews / Balei Teshuva back to Yiddishkeit.
She spent her last years in Florida together with her children.
While her life wasn’t easy and she survived what seemed like certain death many a time, Mrs. Lipskar attributed the bracha for Arichus Yomim that she received from the Rebbe Rayatz in his sukka at the tender age of 5 for her longevity.
Mrs. Lipskar and her husband were instrumental in helping the Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, leave Russia. She prided herself with this knowledge and merited to have a special relationship with Rebbetzin Chana and the Rebbe in the years that followed.
Mrs. Lipskar served as dedicated and beloved nurse in Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York, the first overnight Chabad boys camp, for over 40 years.
She is survived by her children Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar – Surfside, Florida; Rabbi Mendel Lipskar – Johannesburg, South Africa; R’ Yossi Lipskar – Miami Beach, Florida; Mrs. Sheva Schochet – South Beach, Florida; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband R’ Eli Lipskar and their son R’ Chaim Tzvi Lipskar OBM.
The levaya will be passing 770 Eastern Parkway on Monday 12 Iyar at 1:00 PM. The kevura at the Old Montefiore Cemetery at 2:00 PM.
VIDEO:
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
Wow what a special precious Tzidkonis she was.
The first and third photo brings back so many memories of her in CGI in the early 80’s.
Her infirmary was next to the Baal Shem Tov building.
What a gracious person she was. She cared for us as her own children.
May she be a powerful Meilitz Yosher, a Gute Beter for us all.
May we be Zoyche to see her soon
ונזכה ביחד זעהן זיך מיטן רבים והוא יגאלינו
BH
My memories of her are from CGI Parksville in the 70’s……. A legend!!
Unforgettable.
תהי נשמתה צרורה בצרור החיים
משיח נאו
In 1973 I came to camp for the second trip. The day after I arrived I had chicken pox. I was in bunk beis. Lasky who recently passed away was my counselor. For a week I was in the infirmary. Each day she visited me 6 times not only to check on me but also to help me deal emotionally being away from home for the 1st time. She was a very special kind person.
And very smart
i recall her from Parksville .. extremely kind, caring, smart and very funny person .. she was so dedicated to the campers and to the rebbes camp. was a pleasure knowing her .. sorry for the families loss ..
BDE
Moshiach NOW!
Mrs Lipskar was a rare gem! Always with a smile and kind word. It was impossible not to smile thinking about her. She was so loved by her children, nieces, nephews, friends. She left an impression on us all. With gratitude to Hashem she showed us all how to be grateful for what is and what we have. She will be missed. המקום ינחם אתכם. BD”H. Sending hugs.
Honored to have met with Mrs.Lipskar on her visits to South Africa. A beautiful person both inwardly and outwardly.
Proud to call her son R’Mendel Lipskar ‘my shliach’
Will they be seating Shiva in Crown Heights?